AIMWPLB: Ban triple talaq, punish men who give arbitrary divorce

New Delhi: Ban triple talaq, punish men who give divorce arbitrarily and allow women to seek divorce– these are some of the demands over which the All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB) has decided to petition the Supreme Court.

Underlining that instantaneous talaq is in contravention of tenets of Quran, President of AIMWPLB Shaista Amber has sought punishment for those men who give triple talaq so it could act as a deterrent.

“Quran says there must be time for reconciliation between partners. It says when a man gives talaq he must pause and consult his wife. Otherwise, triple talaq is like a hanging dagger for muslim women,” Shaista said.

AIMWPLB has also sought a ban on “nikah halala”, where a woman who has been divorced through triple talaq has to marry another man and consummate her marriage with him before being eligible to remarry her ex-husband.

The board is also in favour of women being allowed to practise Khula- a form of divorce initiated by the wife, which is effected with the return of her husband’s wedding gift.

Shaista said while Quran gives the right to divorce to women, there is a need for greater awareness among muslim women about it.

The President of AIMWPLB also hit out at All India Mulsim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) for defending triple talaq in the Supreme Court. The AIMPLB had told the SC recently that triple talaq was “better than murder” as otherwise husbands could kill their wives in order to get rid of them.

“The intent behind their petition lacks empathy, fairness. They should have said that they are in favour of giving justice to women,” said Shaista.

Shaista said her organisation was opposed to a Uniform Civil Code. “When we have Sharia, there is no need for a Uniform Civil Code”.